Anchorage Speaks Out Against Palin’s Rejection of Stimulus Money.
21 03 2009It’s been a while since a bunch of hopping mad Alaskans gathered with signs to protest the actions of our governor. But today, at 9:30 in the morning in the bitter cold, hundreds showed up to wave signs, mingle with legislators, pack the Assembly chambers, give public testimony and send a message loud and clear that Alaska wants our fair share of the federal stimulus money.
The fact that Alaskans actually had to go to these lengths to reaffirm their desire for money coming into the state probably came as a bit of a shock to the likes of Congressman Don Young and former Senator Ted Stevens, whose long reigns in the congressional delegation were based largely on their ability to bring home the federal bacon. This whole “we don’t need the money” meme is brand new. Apparently there are Alaskans who are so madly in love with Palin that they don’t mind the fact that she as the advocate for the state of Alaska, suddenly feels more of a sense of duty to save the country money than to represent the interests of her constituents. As Shannyn Moore noted on the Ron Reagan radio program on Air America, if Palin were really interested in saving the country money, she’d take all the stimulus funds and then write a check back to the Federal Government. Because, as it stands now, any money we don’t take will happily be gobbled up by a more intelligent governor who will be amazed at his or her good fortune at the expense of Alaskans, who will be left out in the cold.
~~A New Yorker in our midst? Hey, Buddy! Stimulate THIS!~~
~~~Alaskans will be left in the cold....literally.
Well said, Littlest Mudflatter! :0)
Showing up to hang out with the protesters were mayoral candidate Walt Monegan, former legislator and congressional candidate Ethan Berkowitz, gubernatorial candidate Bob Poe, bloggers Celtic Diva, Immoral Minority, and Shannyn Moore. Also, Legislators Rep. Harry Crawford, Rep. Les Gara, and Sen. Hollis French mingled with sign wavers.
Walt Monegan and Senator Hollis French
Rep. Harry Crawford, and Ethan Berkowitz
- Rep. Les Gara
Bob Poe
The signs, as usual, were creative, biting, and said in no uncertain terms that this group, and many more who were there in spirit, are fed up with the political posturing of the governor, and the ease with which she winks and throws Alaska and its most vulnerable residents including special needs children, and those in Title 1 schools under the bus.
Oh no! That's Ethan Berkowitz "under the bus"!
Governor - this is what happens when your metaphor comes back to bite you.
There was a good representation of those who are also appalled at the Board of Game, and the Palin administration’s draconian predator control methods. The shooting of wolves from helicopters has been halted in the face of legal challenges, lack of snowcover which makes the wolves easier to see, and the fact that they burned up almost $100,000 in one weekend killing 60 wolves. Guess the state of Alaska would rather spend money on stuff like that than special education, weatherization, and all that other nonsense.
Inside the library Assembly chambers, the house was packed, with many standing in the back. Hearing public testimony were Sen. Bettye Davis, Sen. Bill Weilechowski, Sen. Lesil McGuire, Sen. Con Bunde, Sen. Kevin Meyer, Rep. Les Gara, Rep. Harry Crawford, Rep. Cherise Millett, Rep. Chris Tuck, and Rep. Sharon Cissna. Rep. Pete Petersen was unable to attend due to a recently broken ankle! (Wishing Pete a speedy recovery on behalf of all Mudflatters!)
Senator Fred Dyson showed up almost half an hour late, and spent the whole time smacking gum, whispering to Con Bunde and looking utterly disinterested. And just for good measure, he left early. Just making sure our friends in Eagle River got that bit of info. File that away in your “reasons to get my friends out to vote next time” folder.
- ~~Rep. Chris Tuck, Sen. Hollis French, Rep. Bob Buch, Rep. Les Gara
~~Senator Fred Dyson paying rapt attention to those giving heartfelt public testimony on behalf of Alaska's children.
Acting Mayor Matt Claman spoke up first for accepting the stimulus money, as did Anchorage School District Superintendant Carol Comeau, then Assemblywoman Elvi Gray-Jackson, a representative from the University and others.
~~Acting Mayor Matt Claman says "Take the money!"
Assembly member Elvi Gray-Jackson says, "Take the money!"
~~Former state senator, Republican gubernatorial candidate and political legend Arilss Sturgulewski says, "Take the Money!"
Sheila Selkregg says, "Take the ...." oh, you get the idea.
There were many comments from the public on the stimulus issue, and by my estimate there were 50 or more left in the queue at the end who never had time to speak. Only one person spoke out in favor of Palin’s “we don’t need no stinking money” plan, and the three minutes he had in front of the podium devolved into some kind of “if only the Palestinians would stop shooting over the wall we’d have peace in the Middle East” diatribe. The groaning in the audience was palpable. All the other comments from parents of kids in Title 1 schools, educators, those who work with special needs kids, and anyone with plain common sense were heartfelt, passionate, and definitely NOT in favor of rejecting money that will help the most vulnerable Alaskans.
And the intrepid Andree McLeod was there for good measure to remind Legislators to keep Sarah Palin’s mysterious undisclosed emails on their radar, in addition to new ethics charges she has just filed.
~~Andree McLeod speaks her piece.
A good, and tiring day. It felt like the old days…(the old days being October).
After listening to hours of testimony about how desperately Alaska needs money for its schools, and other programs for which money is being rejected in the name of political posturing, and after my infiltration of the venom-filled “Lincoln Day” dinner sponsored by the Republican Party, I offer these words to those who think rejecting this money is the right thing.
I can only say that I view [education] as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.
Abraham Lincoln in his first political address
–March 9, 1832
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:24 AM
Many Libertarians have been skeptical of Palin, and her limited government rhetoric. She’s been the darling of the Conservatives, but not yet Libertarians. She just won the hearts and minds of millions of Libertarian voters for 2012, by rejecting half the Stimulus. She may end up winning the Libertarian Party nomination now, in addition to the GOP.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:18 AM
I am tired of Sarah Palin using our Governors office for her personal gain. We need to kick her out of office.
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:08 PM
The only number Sarah cares about is 2012. Alaska? A backwater she will use to blot her lipstick.
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 PM
In Juneau there was also a protest on the good ol’ capitol steps and Sarah even decided to show up, attempting to defend her decision. I was way in the back so I couldn’t hear her but there is a video posted of the Juneau rally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr4wcSSyKVU
My sign was the caricature of Palin saying “F@*$ you, Alaska” in a word bubble.
I’m really impressed with the creativity and pointedness of the signs at the Anchorage Rally. Way to go!
March 24th, 2009 at 12:29 AM
as I’ve said from the first introduction of Ms. Sarah the Devine…a has been who never was…amen…
March 24th, 2009 at 6:43 AM
What a great gathering! I was so glad I was there. The only problem is that ADN article spoke of “dozens” of us and forum posts laughed at that small number. He must have come after a lot of us moved into the chamber. Did anyone get a good estimation of how many showed up?
March 24th, 2009 at 2:16 PM
so much for ms palin’s heartfelt commitment to special education. save all this for ‘12; it will be her national clown show.